PLANS to revive two of Scotland’s most famous mothballed distilleries, Rosebank and Port Ellen, have moved a step closer to being realised.
Ian Macleod Distillers, owner of the Glengoyne, Tamdhu and Isle of Skye whiskies, has been granted planning permission for its multi-million-pound redevelopment of Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk.
It paves the way for distilling to take place at the site for the first time since 1993, when former owner Diageo put Rosebank into mothballs and its maltings were turned into a restaurant.
The development came as Diageo said it had unveiled its plans to rejuvenate the Port Ellen distillery on Islay.
The drinks giant is bringing Port Ellen and the Brora distillery in Speyside back to life in a £35 million project it unveiled in late 2017.
READ MORE: Glengoyne maker set to revive Rosebank
Ian Macleod first announced its plans to restore Rosebank in October 2017, when it acquired the Rosebank brand and the remaining stock from Diageo. It submitted a planning application to Falkirk Council in June of last year.
Broxburn-based Ian Macleod, which also owns Edinburgh Gin, intends to produce up to one million litres of alcohol per year in a new, 1,000 square metre, energy efficient distillery at the site. The plans provide for Rosebank’s traditional chimney to be retained, along with other original buildings overlooking the Forth and Clyde Canal which will be refurbished for use as a visitor centre, tasting room, shop and warehousing.
The distiller aims to begin work on the project shortly, stating that it expects to create 25 full-time equivalent jobs when production begins and the distillery opens its doors to visitors in autumn 2020.
READ MORE: Diageo gets nod to revamp Glenkinchie Distillery
Ultimately, it hopes to attract around 50,000 visitors a year to Rosebank, where it will offer tours featuring some of the last whiskies distilled there before production ceased around 25 years ago. Ian Macleod expects to release a small number of those whiskies for sale this year.
Leonard Russell, managing director of Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone of the Rosebank redevelopment project. To bring back to life an iconic distillery and quintessential Lowland single malt is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Our investment goes beyond production. We’re proud to be investing in Falkirk by adding to the town’s flourishing economy and tourism scene with a new Rosebank visitor centre, to help tell the story of this remarkable whisky. Rosebank Distillery has a special place in Scotland’s whisky heritage, and we are committed to ensuring this remains the case. We will strive to replicate the unique Rosebank style by once more employing the unique techniques of triple distillation and worm tub condensers, for which this iconic Lowland single malt is famed.”
READ MORE: Whisky giant moves step closer to reviving famous distillery
Meanwhile, Diageo invited Islay locals and former employees to share their memories of the Port Ellen distillery when it revealed its plans to the island community. The company, which will formally submit it plans to Argyll and Bute Council this year, said it will bring Port Ellen back to life using a primary distillation regime designed to recreate the flavour profile which made the whisky famous, using replicas of the two original copper pot stills.
A small pair of copper stills will be put in to allow distillers to experiment with new Port Ellen styles. Diageo said the experimental stills will pay tribute to John Ramsay, the owner of the distillery in its formative years, whose pioneering techniques are said to have made Port Ellen one of the most innovative in the industry in the 19th century.
Master distiller Georgie Crawford, who leads the Port Ellen project, said: “These plans are any whisky maker’s dream come true. To have the opportunity to recreate the original spirit character of Port Ellen distillery so we have new generations of that classic Islay peated malt is incredible, but then to combine that with the freedom to experiment with new variations is truly extraordinary.”
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